Bangkok doesn’t lack things to do and see, especially when it comes to the local bar scene. There are so many bars that offer a great variety of entertainment, that you couldn’t possibly get bored on your weekend bar crawl. But there is one special kind of establishment that is more than just a place where you go to have a few drinks with friends and grab something to eat. Welcome to the Bangkok sports bar scene!
There are over 20 sport bars in Bangkok and, apart from the usual football live feeds they have on huge flat screens, many of them also offer quality pool and billiards tables. If you’re interested in reading about the local and expat pool and billiards scene that exists in Bangkok, then your ultimate guide is Bangkok Pool Blues by Tom Crowley (Mettavisions, 2010).
This booklet manages to capture, in clear, uncomplicated language, an amazing subculture of the Thai society: the pool halls and their players. Crowley’s words are brilliantly illustrated by black and white photographs by Yoonki Kim, a Bangkok-based professional photographer from South Korea.
From his first contact with Asia as a junior infantry officer in Vietnam to the freedom of choosing his own working hours as a volunteer in Bangkok, Tom Crowley presents a lively journey through the pool halls of the Thai capital. The stories he tells have historical value as he puts the game pool in the context of Thai history, while a more personal thread weaves in and out of these stories, telling the reality of what’s it like to own a pool hall and have to deal with both the “Thai Players” and the “Foreign Legion.”
Add to that a chapter on “Gamblers and Gambling” and the readers won’t be surprised when the author decides to protect himself by “adjusting” some of the names and places mentioned: “This is not to be dramatic, but as you will understand, many of the characters depicted here, Thai and foreign, have friends that can ‘take care’ of those who upset them in some way.”
Today, Tom Crowley is still in Bangkok and he continues to be part of the pool and billiards scene. I wanted to personally meet some of the characters in his book so we got together at Hustlers Bangkok, a pool and billiards sports bar located in the basement of Times Square, near Asok BTS Station.
I was introduced to Graham Hill, the co-owner of Hustlers Bangkok who was not hesitant to say that owning a pool hall is a tough business: “It’s competitive! There are quite a few bars out there. Each bar has some different angle. For us it’s the friendly staff, the cosy warm atmosphere and the quality of the tables which are always kept in tip top condition.”
Since pool and billiards is a sport and many play it for the fun of competition, I personally wanted to know more about the events one can attend as a pool fan in Bangkok. To my surprise, just like darts, another great pub game, there’s a vibrant league run by Bangkok Pool League which organizes every Monday and Wednesday pool tournaments at Hustlers Bangkok.
“On alternate Sundays we do a 9 or sometimes 10 ball handicap competition and on the other Sunday we will do a scotch doubles competition (two players who take alternative shots),” said Graham.
On top of all this, there’s also the Asia Pool Challenge, which is hosted in different countries each year. “It pits the very best expat players from Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand against each other. Thailand has won it every year so far and I can tell you it is a very keenly fought competition!” added Graham.
At one of the eleven full size Brunswick pool tables, I was introduced to Stuart Pettman, a former English professional snooker player, now the co-owner and hall manager at Hustlers Bangkok. Although Stuart participated several times in the final stages of the World Championships, he was very modest about it and preferred to talk about other people’s achievements rather than his own.
“I have been actively mentoring an up-and-coming young Thai player called Akani Songsermsawat. He recently won the Asian U21 title at the age of 19 and also his first Thai ranking title. I really believe he is the future star of Thai snooker,” Stuart answered when I asked him what makes him love this sport.
Just like the characters in Tom Crowley’s Bangkok Pool Blues, I finished up my evening with a quick game of pool and thought that the book’s last sentence perfectly fit my situation: “And during the off hours I get to mix with an equally remarkable group of people, in their own way, on the Thai pool scene.”
The book is available as paperback and Kindle version on the publisher’s website and you can also get an autographed copy at Hustlers Bangkok. You might even run into the author there! If you do, don’t hesitate to invite (or challenge) him to a game of pool.
Photography by Photography Entrepreneurs
Initially published in Mango Metro (September 2015, Vol.9, No.10)
the author decides to protect himself by “adjusting” some of the names and places mentioned: “This is not to be dramatic, but as you will understand, many of the characters depicted here, Thai and foreign, have friends that can ‘take care’ of those who upset them in some way.”
are you fucking serious. that is the biggest fairy tale and youre buying it hook line and sinker.
about the author of the not so famous book.
that’s where you don’t know what youre dealing with.
I wouldn’t put much stock in what he says, him being what he is and has been for 25 years. some people get 20 years.
to gush over that guy, wtf.
@john smith I really don’t understand what you’re hinting at. I can see there’s a lot of negativity (verging to hate) but it’s not clear why…